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Philippine DOT | USA

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is a government agency established to undertake research and gather data on tourism market trends and other information; coordinate the implementation of its plans, policies and programs, including the multilateral and bilateral agreements, with National Tourism Organizations and other international associations; supervise the implementation of international tourism promotions program in their respective jurisdictions as well as provide information on the preparation of international promotions plan.

There are 23 PDOT overseas offices around the globe tasked to develop and implement programs and activities designed to promote the Philippines as a tourism destination within their areas. Three (3) out of the 23 offices are located in North America particularly in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.

Department of Tourism North America

Los Angeles

 +(1) (213) 487 4525

 [email protected]

 3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 707 Los Angeles, California 90010, USA

San Francisco

 +(1) (415) 956 4060

 [email protected]

 447 Sutter St. 2/F, Suite 212 San Francisco, California 94108, USA

 +(1) (212) 575 7915

 [email protected]

 556 Fifth Ave., New York New York 10036, USA

San Francisco Office

Areas of Jurisdiction

Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana,Nebraska,North Nevada/Reno, North and South Dakota, Northern California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Western Canada  – Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Team Member:

TESS BAUTISTA, Tourism Assistant

Los Angeles Office

Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Nevada/Las Vegas,Southern California, New Mexico, Texas,

Latin America  (including Brazil, Mexico and Argentina)

Team Members:

SHAINA MANLANGIT, Tourism Marketing Assistant

PATRICK MAGAT, Administrative Assistant

SOLEIL P. TROPICALES   Tourism Attache of PDOT San Francisco and Officer in Charge of PDOT Los Angeles. Soleil holds an MBA and  Bachelor of

SOLEIL P. TROPICALES

Tourism Attache of PDOT San Francisco and Officer in Charge of PDOT Los Angeles. Soleil holds an MBA and  Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management where she received academic recognitions.  She joined The Discovery Leisure Company, Inc. as part of the pre-opening team for the Misibis Bay Resort and Hotel Venezia in Bicol. She also worked with the team of Discovery Suites in Manila and Discovery Shores Boracay.

In 2014, Soleil joined the PDOT’s Route Development team where she handled the hosting of the Routes Asia 2016 in Manila.  She also participated in aviation and trade events in China, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Spain and South Africa. She has been instrumental in strengthening the direct air connections of the Philippines from tourist source markets of the country.

When she is not busy working, Soleil enjoys singing, bonding with her cat, scuba diving, and learning how to play golf.

New York Office

Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,Michigan, Minnesota,Missouri, New Hampshire,New Jersey, New York, North and South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Eastern Canada  – Ontario (Toronto), Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador

FRANCISCO LARDIZABAL

Tourism Attache

LUZ ALQUISOLA-NAVARRO

Senior Tourism Operations Officer

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Tourism chief highlights prospects of collaboration in Iloilo

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• by Liez'l Marie Lamasan-Ejeda
• Apr. 22, 2024 1:56 pm in News

ILOILO CITY -- Potential areas of collaboration between Iloilo and the Department of Tourism (DOT) are in the pipeline, highlighting the booming tourism industry.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met with Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas for a courtesy meeting where they tackled partnerships on tourism infrastructure and route development initiatives for Iloilo to attract more visitors.

Frasco was here in Iloilo City on April 5 during the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028 rollout for the Visayas cluster.

In the agency’s Facebook post, the DOT chief revealed that Iloilo was the “most appropriate venue” to roll out the NTDP, also known as “The Plan,” seeing the bullish prospects that the city and province have in terms of tourism development that are being prioritized by the local government units.

“So, I come here with great admiration for all the initiatives and also with our collective congratulations for your recent designation as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy,” Secretary Frasco told Mayor Treñas.

To note, Iloilo City’s delectable Ilonggo cuisines, marked by flavors of culture and creativity, paved the way to UNESCO’s recognition as the country’s first Creative City for Gastronomy.  

It is now part of the 350 cities in more than 100 countries listed on the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the fields of crafts and folk arts, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.

Frasco also invited Treñas and the city council to attend the hosting of the Philippines to the first United Nations Tourism Regional Gastronomy Forum which will be held in Cebu in June, as the country also boosts its gastronomy tourism portfolio.

For his part, Treñas lauded the efforts of the DOT, saying that “programs of a city or a department can only be implemented successfully if you have good people.”

The rollout of the NDTP, on the other hand, serves as the national government’s blueprint for establishing a Philippine tourism industry that delves into Filipino culture, heritage, and identity in the next five years.

According to DOT, this also functions as a guidebook of the industry on how to put sustainability mechanisms in place, as well as to ensure that the industry is robust and globally competitive.

“In the spirit of President Marcos’ economic aspirations for the Philippines, the NTDP is not just the plan, but a dynamic framework that requires all of us, our active engagement from policymaking to grassroots implementation,” Frasco said.

Inputs from stakeholders across the country, such as the DOT, its offices and attached agencies, other national government offices, various local governments, including those from tourism destinations, private sector representatives from various industry groups, academe, and non-governmental organizations, formed part in the development of the NTDP.  

The plan aims to generate livelihood opportunities for 6.3 million Filipinos by 2028, which is nearly a share of 12.9 percent of the country’s total workforce.

Meanwhile, Iloilo Provincial Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. conveyed his support for the rollout of the NTDP 2023-2028 in the Visayas cluster, quoting that the province is all set to collaborate with the DOT.

“We are very thankful for this rollout because our work here today is to see where we are in this National Development Plan and our role and participation in this tourism development plan of the Department of Tourism,” Defensor said. (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo/DOT)

• National Tourism Development Plan

About the Author

Liez'l Marie Lamasan-Ejeda

Write to live. Live to write. 

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The Philippine Information Agency is the official public information arm of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. The PIA works with the Office of the President, national government agencies, and other public sector entities in communicating their programs, projects, and services to the Filipino people. The agency has a regional office in all 16 regions and has an information center in 78 provinces across the Philippines.

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Lose yourself in a beautiful story as told by every river, every mountain, every tree. Picture yourself reaching new heights when you

To be lost under the canopy and in the fragrance of a pine forest, in the current of crystalline waters, in the rhythm of gongs and the harmony of songs that tell our history, to experience serenity as the clouds descend on an ili, to find peace and happiness as you watch the golden stalks of rice in a payew dancing in the wind, and, indeed, to find yourself amid all that is beautiful that can only be found right here in the Cordilleras. #FindYourselfintheCordilleras

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Alarming rise of hotel rates threatens growth of PHL tourism industry

• BusinessMirror Editorial
• April 22, 2024
• 3 minute read

The high cost of travel and accommodation in the Philippines has been a long-standing concern for domestic tourists, destination management companies, and lawmakers. The situation has reached a point where many people now prefer to travel abroad, where they can get more value for their money. The issue is not limited to expensive domestic airfare; even hotels, especially those in Metro Manila, have significantly raised their room rates, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Unfortunately, this trend is projected to continue in the medium term, posing a serious threat to the government’s goal of attracting 12 million international arrivals by 2028. (Read the BusinessMirror story:  ‘Keys Muna’: Imminent hotel room shortage—and resulting higher room rates—could derail PHL’s ambition to lure more visitors, April 20, 2024).

According to a recent briefing by Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC), there is an impending hotel shortage in the country. Only 87 properties are in the pipeline from 2025 to 2028, adding a mere 25,000 hotel rooms to the supply. This means that by 2028, there will be a total of 308,000 hotel rooms available. To achieve the target of 12 million inbound tourists by 2028, there needs to be an annual growth rate of approximately 10 percent. However, the growth in hotel keys during the same period is expected to be less than one percent, significantly limiting the country’s ability to reach its tourism goals. As a result, room rates and occupancy rates will undoubtedly increase, making travel more expensive for both locals and foreigners.

The majority of the new hotels (40 percent) are concentrated in Metro Manila, with the rest distributed among popular destinations such as Cebu, Boracay, Davao, and Palawan. While this development is promising, it may not be sufficient to meet the growing demand for accommodations. Furthermore, factors such as a high inflation rates and the cost of funding pose significant challenges to hotel development. High inflation rates make borrowing and financing more difficult, hindering the construction of new hotels.

The pandemic has also played a role in delaying hotel constructions. Many ongoing projects were halted, leading to a shortage in available rooms. Additionally, the current cost of funding, as reflected in lending rates, further contributes to the impending hotel shortage.

Inflationary pressures are expected to drive the average daily rates (ADR) of hotels to continue rising, outpacing occupancy and revenue per available room (RevPAR). While ADR typically lags behind occupancy growth, hotels have been focusing on increasing rates to offset higher operating costs driven by inflation. Luxury hotels in Metro Manila have already experienced significant ADR growth, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This trend, coupled with the slow return of international travelers and rising operational costs, has made it challenging for hotels to generate profits.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has projected inbound arrivals to reach 11.5 million and domestic trips to reach 137.5 million by 2028. However, the current National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) lacks a clear identification of the number of hotels needed to accommodate these projected numbers. To address this, the DOT is working with the Philippine Hotel Owners Association to develop a strategic action plan for the hotel industry. The plan aims to identify incentives for hotel investments, required facilities, and suitable locations for construction.

It is crucial for the government and relevant stakeholders to address the rising cost of vacationing in the Philippines to ensure sustainable tourism growth. Efforts should be made to encourage the construction of more hotels, especially in popular tourist destinations beyond Metro Manila. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the challenges faced by the hotel industry, such as inflationary pressures and high funding costs. Additionally, exploring measures to promote competitive pricing, improve infrastructure, and enhance the overall tourism experience can help attract both domestic and international travelers.

The Philippines has immense potential as a tourist destination, offering diverse attractions and natural beauty. However, the stakes are high, as a shortage of affordable, quality accommodations could severely constrain the growth of the tourism industry—a critical driver of economic development, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings. Decisive action is needed now to avert this looming crisis and unlock the full potential of the Philippines as a premier travel destination.

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Hon. ma. esperanza christina garcia frasco.

Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco is a former three-term mayor of the Municipality of Liloan in the Province of Cebu before she was catapulted to the executive branch of government when President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. handpicked her to join his Cabinet and lead the Department of Tourism (DOT) in 2022. Born to a family of public servants, her legacy as a local chief executive saw the rise of Liloan as a top model and most resilient municipality in the Philippines. Her outstanding work did not go unnoticed, meriting a Presidential Lingkod Bayan Regional Award for Excellence in Public Service and ranking number 1 among all municipal mayors in Central Visayas. As the youngest member of the Marcos Cabinet, she has consistently been ranked one of the top-performing Secretaries of the Marcos administration, delivering solid outcomes and achievements for the Department.

From back-to-back international accolades for the Philippines to breaching tourism targets, her visionary leadership has propelled the country onto the world stage. Most recently, with the Philippines' election as vice presidency of the UNWTO General Assembly, a position once held by the country more than two decades ago, alongside the chairmanship of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific. As she makes a mark in the tourism industry, she has laid out some of the most groundbreaking innovations yet, leveraging on collaborative and shared governance that leaves no destination and people behind, with the Filipino at the heart of the industry. Lauded by the entire tourism industry, SKAL International recently distinguished her with the prestigious Tourism Good Governance Award. Since her assumption to office, tourism reclaimed its pole position in the Philippine economy as the 2nd top driver of the country's growth and development, employing millions of Filipinos. Their world-renowned brand of warm hospitality has made the world "Love the Philippines," bringing us a step closer to fulfilling the President's vision of transforming the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia.

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Lack of Chinese visitors hinders Philippines tourism growth

Tuesday, 16 Apr 2024

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Pedestrians in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The Philippines trimmed its economic growth forecasts for this year and next amid stubborn inflation and elevated interest rates, while widening its fiscal deficit estimates to support higher spending. Photographer: Veejay Villafranca/Bloomberg

MANILA: The slow return of Chinese tourists has been holding back travel recovery in the Philippines, the Bank of America (BofA) says in a report that highlights the “uneven” recovery in Asia tourism.

As the region’s tourism sector enters the last leg of recovery from the pandemic’s onslaught, BofA said the Philippines, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan were the “laggards” in Asia as tourist arrivals in these destinations have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.

In the Philippines, BofA noted that foreign visitor arrivals were still 76% of pre-pandemic levels as of February this year, albeit much better than Hong Kong’s 73.7% and Taiwan’s January 2024 figure of 69.6%.

Among the laggards, BofA said China was an “outlier” after it reopened its economy much later than other Asian destinations. Data compiled by the bank showed foreign tourist arrivals in China were 36.3% below pre-pandemic level as of December 2023.

In turn, the later reopening of China’s economy weighed on tourism recovery in countries that heavily depended on Chinese holidaymakers, such as the Philippines and Hong Kong.

Data compiled by BofA showed Chinese arrivals are only tracking at 20% to 30% of pre-pandemic levels in the Philippines, below trends elsewhere in the region. And the recovery is unlikely to speed up anytime soon, with BofA noting the “changing preferences” of Chinese consumers.

“The typical Chinese traveller these days is increasingly interested in exploring domestic cities that offer unique cultural experiences. This has also slowed their return to international destinations,” BofA said.

“The return of Chinese travellers might be a gradual process,” it added.

On the flip side, tourism is now back to pre-pandemic vigor in Japan and Vietnam as they benefitted from the weakness of their currencies.

BofA said Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand were among the “hopefuls” in Asia after seeing a sharp rebound in international arrivals in recent months.

Meanwhile, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia were in the “middle of the pack” whose visitor entries are tracking at 80% to 85% of pre-pandemic levels so far.

For this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) forecasts tourism receipts – a source of US dollars for the economy – to grow by 50%.

That would contribute to the projected US$700mil surplus in 2024 which, if realised, would be smaller than the US$3.7bil windfall recorded in 2023.

Moving forward, BofA said Asian economies with falling currencies would continue to attract more foreign visitors that are looking for cheap holiday destinations.

“Foreign exchange colleagues expect currencies in Asia to strengthen across the board against the US dollar over the next two years but remain weak by historical standards,” BSP said. — The Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN

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